John T. Benson Jr.

Tom was born on September 30, 1939, in Denver, Colorado, to John Thomas Benson and Ruby Oringdulph Benson. He graduated from San Benito High School in 1957 and shortly afterward married the girl of his dreams, his high school sweetheart, Mary Elizabeth McKown. In January 1958, he joined the U.S. Army, serving six months on active duty and four years in the Reserve. In 1961, he was called back to active duty during the Bay of Pigs crisis.

A copy of Learn to Fly magazine sparked what became a lifelong career. Tom learned to fly at Cruise Aviation. He got his first flying job in 1962 with West Brothers in DeRidder, Louisiana. He went on to fly commercially for Texas International, Continental, and United Airlines, serving as a check pilot from 1983 to 1988. In 1988, he became chief pilot. Captain Tom enjoyed flying the DC-9 with his best friend, Tip Fuller, in the cockpit. For years, the two would bid on the same trip so they could fly together.

Tom had a generous giving heart and joined the Elks at age 21, where he remained a member for the rest of his life. The Clear Lake Elks Lodge in Kemah was his second home. He spent countless hours there sharing stories, laughter, and friendship with fellow members, many of whom became like family to him. You could often hear him wishing everyone a “happy day.” In April 2022, his lodge honored him as Citizen of the Year, a recognition he treasured. Tom was also a lifelong member of the American Legion.

Tom was a smart, self-made man. He loved to golf, but he loved to sail even more. His 42-foot Catalina, Celebration, was his pride and joy. He sailed her many times with his favorite crew—his oldest daughter, Beth Pfohl, and his son-in-law, David Pfohl—until Hurricane Ike sank her in 2008. For the last 20 years of his life, Claire Worthington was his loving companion, and they shared many cruise adventures and fun times together at the Elks Lodge. Tom’s lifelong friends became family, especially Janet Greenwood, who joked each year that she was the older woman because her birthday was just one day before his.

His grandchildren remember how far he would go for them. One night, he drove Ryan and Travis from The Woodlands to Clear Lake to sleep on the boat, only to have Ryan change his mind. He loaded both boys back into the car and drove them home without complaint. When the family lived in Seattle, the car broke down while he was visiting. He carried three-year-old Travis two to three miles up and down Seattle’s hills, and his back was never quite the same. That was Grandaddy Tom: he deeply loved and cared for his family.

Tom is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Benson; his parents, John Thomas Benson and Ruby Oringdulph Benson; his daughter, Beth Pfohl; and his son, John T. Benson III. He is survived by his brother, Jim Benson; his sister, Pam Copenhaver; his daughter, Patti Graham and Mike Lowman; his son-in-law, David Pfohl; his grandsons, Ryan Graham and his wife Jessica, Travis Graham and his fiancé Amanda Moore; his great-grandchildren, Jack and Taylor Graham; loving nephews, nieces and dear close friends.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, November 15, at Sundance Grill II, 800 Mariners Drive, Kemah, Texas 77565. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Clear Lake Elks Lodge in memory of Tom Benson.